FSpaceRPG article

Ceres is the largest object in the Asteroid Belt of the solar system, and in the 21st century became more regarded as a dwarf planet rather than just an asteroid.

Ceres is naturally round due to its size generating enough gravity, and is composition which includes a significant amount of water ice.

The water content of Ceres is significant. That combined with its low gravity compared to typical planets has been the key in fuelling manned habitation in the region. It has made it it the hub of Belt civilisation.

Accessible water ice in such large quantities has drive a number of critical industries. Water distilleries heat and purify water which is used for water supplies for human, animals and plants, helping support agricultural domes, orbital complexes and similar enterprises.

Electrolysis plants also convert water into oxygen, and hydrogen, supplying both tanked air, and propellant for conventional rocket motors, or propellant used in NERVA, plasma and other reaction engine types.

Heavy water extraction plants are being experimented with, in an attempt to extract deuterium, a heavier isotope of hydrogen, which proves useful in nuclear enrichment plants, and as a fuel suitable for fusion reactors and propulsive systems.

The presence of water has also lead to the founding of a local moonshine distillery and even a yeast based beer brewing company.

Quite literally, Ceres has become the watering hole for the Belt community.